Today we’d like to introduce you to April Rition.
April, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It all started four years ago in Jacksonville, FL. I started at a club called Metro doing very androgynous, Avante Garde bearded Horror Style Drag. Being this weird creature in a sea of “female Impersonators” was so overwhelming for the community I threw myself into.
They didn’t know what to think about me didn’t know how to take what I was presenting and I was shunned I was made fun of I was told I wouldn’t make it by a few people after being told that it just drove me further into proving people wrong and that where I guess my stubbornness grew from lol. So while I was I. Jacksonville I told myself I’m NEVER competing for a pageant I’m never “conforming” as I would say but low and behold that did not last long. The first weekly competition show I ever competed in was Hamburg Mary’s Got Talent in Jacksonville. About a 14 weeks competition with a different challenge every week me as the unpolished weird underdog made it the finale with the local “newcomer pageant girl” and presenting a very emotional suicidal number to raise awareness about LGBT suicide I won’t the crown and that’s where my love for Conpetions emerged.
Fast forward a year later, I met the love of my life Gordon and moved to Dallas to be with him out of the blue. When I moved to Dallas, I was in the epicenter of pageants and jumped right in competing in Miss Gay Fire and Ice my first year coming in last it just drove me to compete and grow even more. I competed in a couple of America prelims to help myself grow but never getting the crown. The following year I competed yet again, loosing YET again that’s when I went off to compete at Southern States USofA and I finally WON and I went off to miss gay USofA 2018. Making only 16th place, I was determined to go back. I once again competed for Miss Gay Fire and Ice. One last time and I finally was crowned the FOREVER! The last of the reigning! I went on to compete at USOFA 2019. Making TOP 5! ( still in shock) when I think back about all the things I’ve done all the people I’ve met it’s crazy to think that I wouldn’t be the entertainer or the person I am today without the help and live from those close to me!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh gosh no when I first started I wasn’t the prettiest it the best dance I didn’t have then elaborate costumes I was made fun of and shunned and put down for simply BEING different right in the heart of my own community.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
April Rition is known for being Rhinestoned OUT head to toe! I’m known for my headpieces feathers GALORE. Right now I’m building a business for Headpieces Fascinators. Hats feather work and more! Ever. In Dallas, I never really see anyone local rock a headpiece or even 12 if that. I want to stand out I want to be grand when I turn that corner.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Making Top 5 at Miss Gay USofA 2019. I went in with the mindset of winning as anyone should but to make top 12 and then make top 5 alongside of Queens you’ve looked up to you’ve been inspired by is incredible.
Pricing:
- Headpieces usually start around $150
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @April_Rition
- Facebook: Ian vallee
- Twitter: Aprilrition009
Image Credit:
Kylee O’Hara. The Hound yo my Fox, Rolla Derby (me with horns), White dress is my gown for Miss Gay USofA 2019, The bearded man is me and my husband
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
